If there ever was a home that inspired you to pick up the paintbrush and add a splash of colour and pattern to your homes, it has to be today’s home tour of Saara McLoughlin. Saara aka @saara_mcloughlin was our @eclectically_made winner last month over on Instagram and is definitely one to follow. Ready to have a look around her fabulous home…
Colour & Pattern Filled Eclectic Home – Saara McLoughlin
About Saara McLoughlin
Born in Finland, Saara has lived in Ireland for over half of her lifetime. She has two gorgeous daughters Ella and Lilli, husband Mike and their new kitten Cinder.
I’m a qualified interior designer and have spent a lot of my time home as a stay at home mom working on turning our house into our ultimate happy place, filled with colour and beautiful things that bring us joy.
Saara McLoughlin
When you peruse Saara’s home it will come as no surprise to know that she is qualified interior designer. Her bold convictions when it comes to choosing her decor for her home are not only a testament to her ability as a designer but also to going with what she loves and what works for her and her family. Since having her children, their family home has become her very own interior design project. Turning it into a home that they as a family will enjoy for years too come. For Saara that entails filling it with colour and beautiful things.
Saara’s Home
Transforming their standard four bedroomed semi-detached house into a truly individual home has been Saara’s ambition from the outset. I think you’ll agree with me that her creativity and eye for detail has defiinitely been worth all of her efforts. Situated ten minutes drive from Limerick city centre, Saara and her family absolutely love where they live. It’s so often a testament to the effort that you put into a home don’t you think?
Mid Century Love
Saara’s love of mid century furniture and all sorts of vintage design can be seen throughout her home. For her it’s not only about finding exciting old treasures but also about making environmentally friendly choices that help protect the future of our planet too.
I’m mad about mid century furniture and all sorts of vintage design, and get so excited finding old treasures.
Saara McLoughlin
Up-cyling
Up-cycling and recycling have become a major part of Saara’s home design choices. I have to say that I myself have recently discovered the joy that painting old furniture and creating something new brings to your home. There’s definitely a sense of satisfaction when you can recreate a new look by painting rather than buying new.
I’m no stranger to a paintbrush and love upcycling furniture and paint projects of all sizes. I’m a firm believer in the importance of recycling, upcycling and making eco-conscious choices as our future literally depends on it.
Saara McLoughlin
Saara’s Style
Saara has an eclectic mix of styles that she makes work effortlessly in her home. Retro, bohemian and scandi all have a place, but what you will no doubt find, she is totally colour obsessed. There’s also a playful fun element to the way that she has designed her home. For Saara, there is no such thing as too much colour and pattern. Of course, they need to be the right choice of colours and patterns of which Saara has a keen eye for.
You’ll also discover an abundance of art throughout Saara’s home. Not only do these add colourful displays to the walls they predominantly showcase Saara and her husband’s fun personalities too.
I like playful, fun interiors that don’t take themselves too seriously and think there’s no such thing as too much colour or pattern, as long as they’re the right colours and patterns.
Saara McLoughlin
Colour & Pattern Filled Eclectic Home – Saara McLoughlin
Confidence With Paint
If there’s one thing to take away from today’s house tour it might very well be to go grab your paintbrushes and get painting. We’ve all got to start somewhere and considering most of us will be entering into another dreaded lockdown, you might want to keep yourself busy and get your own creative juices flowing with some paint. I thought we’d check out some of Saara’s amazing creative transformations that she and her husband have achieved in their home.
Colour & Pattern Filled Eclectic Home – Saara’s Creative Projects…
Pink & Green Should Always Be Seen Especially On The Stairs…
It’s not often one can say that they are completely blown away with the decor of a staircase or landing but in Saara’s case she is the exception. Saara has literally taken her stairwell and landings to the next level with her redesign. There is so much inspiration to take away from this part of her home alone.
Bold colour choices add impact to what is ordinarily somewhere we tend to overlook when decorating. Saara’s creativity seems to have held no boundaries and must be a delight to encounter as you move up/down the stairs. Biophilic vibes are introduced with palm fronded wallpaper adding both pattern and colour that complement and add to her chosen colour palette. Of course, Saara has utilised my favourite colour palette of pink and green so I may be alittle more biased than most.
Saara has also been brave enough to transition from one section of stairs/landing area with a slight variation of colour and wallpaper choice. Moving from green to pink and vice versa the one constant is the colour palette that Saara has used. It helps provide a sense of flow and a cohesive feel regardless of where one colour stops and the other begins.
The thought process and attention to detail is phenomenal when you think how Saara has used her chosen green and pink colour palette and made it work on so many different attributes as you move from the hallway andd continue up to their loft space.
Eclectic Pattern Mix
One constant you will find throughout Saara’s home is her love of combining an eclectic mix of patterns. From monochrome geometric details such as this lampshade above to softer biophilic design. They work because Saara has used them throughout her home from one space to the next. Pattern and colour provide a cohesive thread that ties each space together
Mid Century Inspired Loft Room
Saara’s loft space introduces a brighter shade of green and pink with some blue thrown in to ground the design of this space. After climbing those stairs, it’s like the icing on the cake. Perfect for spending quality time with her family.
Strong Mid-Century vibes flow through this room which also doubles up as a guest room. (For when we can have guests again that is!)
Colourful Up-Cycled Kitchen…
Saara has recently updated her kitchen dining room by painting from ceiling to literally the floor. Painting the tiles in here to hide original beige tiles has made a significant difference to the heart of their family home. It’s also saved them a huge amount of money in the process too.
Saara has zoned the family dining table by using a darker tiled rug on her painted light grey floor. It really helps ground the dining area, particularly great if you have lots going on in a room decoratively like Saara’s. If you’re lacking interest they’re also great at adding textural warmth, colour and pattern.
Again Saara has used a graphic style rug (albeit with a different monochrome pattern to highlight another zone in her kitchen. Of course, the addition of these patterned rugs also provides a practical one too as both areas will see more activity and help protect their newly painted tiled floor.
DESIGN TIP: Adding art and textural detail to kitchen/dining spaces helps create interest to what can often be a bland clinical space. It also helps personalise your space with the things you love.
Or why not try hanging/plants in your kitchens like Saara. They help soften angles/straight lines of doors and cabinets whilst adding additional architectural qualities into this kitchen space.
Another love of Saara’s is macrame hangings and you’ll spot them throughout her home and are even on display in her fabulous garden. I love how they add textural quality to any space as well as an additional spot of colour. If you’re interested Saara also has an Etsy page here where she sells custom made pieces.
Colourful Garden Delights
Saara’s love of colour and pattern continues into her garden space too. Bold graphics and attention to detail are definitely her trademark signature when it comes to her decor choices whether inside or outdoors.
I love that Saara’s outside space continues with her love of bold colour and pattern. These two design elements bind the indoors with the outside and makes a statement to both.
Colour & Pattern Filled Eclectic Home – Saara McLoughlin
I hope today’s feature home tour has much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Be sure to check out the rest of Saara’s fabulous home here over on Instagram and if you fancy having your home featured why not join me and the rest of the @eclectically_made team here.
Until next time, thanks as always for stopping by!
Maria xx
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